Description
The “Public Production” CAPRI PERANA V8:
The CAPRI PERANA V8 Mk. 1 has already reached a CULT STATUS! These factors alone are enough for this vehicle to be considered a “gift” for serious buyers - welcome, to the opportunity!
The CAPRI Mk 1 COUPE was historically the first time “FORD Motor Company of South Africa" (FORD SA) entered a multi-car “Special Vehicle Order” (SVO) external production arrangement with “BASIL GREEN MOTORS" (BGM).
The CAPRI PERANA V8 (SVO) was based on FORD SA Plant assembled CAPRI 3000 GT XL in fully optioned specification of engineering and trim level. The SVO had an unusual short-cut in labour time and processes, as these CAPRIs came off the Production Line fully assembled in every aspect but without the V6-3000 or Manual/ Auto Transmisson, as both were installed with BGM components. The “C4” Auto was an option for the PERANA V8, but comparatively few were built. The SVO BGM CAPRIs were only available in two colour choices: BRIGHT YELLOW or PERI-PERI RED. This is verifiable by a Production-Line tag inside the body structure that confirms build details like BODY/ INTERIOR colours along with other cross-reference information.
The CAPRI PERANA V8 ROAD-CAR was a unique n these aspects: The FORD USA “Small Block” WINDSOR 302 (5-LITRE) V8-ENGINE with reprofiled Camshafts, etc., FUEL - Holley 600-CFM Double Pumper, AIR INTAKE MANIFOLD - Holley, and EXHAUST (BGM Manifolds and pipes, etc), upgraded COOLING - large Radiator & air-downforce top plate for air cooling. No panel-hacking was involved. The Mustang TREMEC 4-SPEED TOP LOADER Manual or C4 Automatic provides power delivery to the 9-INCH REAR AXLE & LSD 2. 92 ratio. STEERING geometry revised with MUSTANG RACK and ingenious front SUSPENSION dynamic changes without adverse effect to handling or suspension performance - quite the opposite as the set-up was in position for owner's future race challenges. BRAKES (Upgraded pads) as well as other ancillary parts were all replaced with specification more suited to the V8-conversion.
The outcome was an easily driveable Coupe if you wanted to quietly cruise with “V8 burble” in the background. Gather your wits, swap cogs, and hit the loud pedal for an instant grin factor, and often leaving an “Exotic Car” driver unpleasantly surprised!
The FORD CAPRI PERANA V8 (Manual) was ROAD TESTED by CAR South Africa magazine in January 1971. The exceptional performance measured a top speed of 228. 4 KPH (142 MPH), with 0-100 KPH (0-62 MPH) in 6. 7 sec., while the 400m / ¼ mile was run in 14. 6 sec. For perspective, this gave 50 KPH (29 MPH) faster top speed and a massive 2, 5 seconds faster in the “from standstill sprint time” compared to the CAPRI 3000 GT. What would you have bought for trundling along an unrestricted German Autobahn?
The car offered here is a super-rare C4-Automatic version, that gave very similar performance to the Tremec Manual versions.
Other CAPRI comparisons in performance are below:
1. Capri 3000 GT XLR (Esssex) - 113 mph, 0-62 mph in 9. 2 sec.
2. Capri RS2600 (Cologne) G2-LW - 129 mph, 0-62 mph in 7. 5 sec.
3. Capri RS3100 (Essex) Steel body - 125 mph, 0-62 mph in 7. 3 sec.
Recent findings proved actual production figure below 400-units built. The CAPRI RS2600 was 3, 532 units - 883% higher than the PERANA V8. Unfortunately, due to OPEC crisis, only 250 units of the RS3100 were made.
This Coupe is still original as it left the factory in the PERI PERI RED body colour with original GT XL spec in BLACK, with correct Leather-bound PERANA Steering Wheel, Bonnet & Body-Stripes kit & Boot / Rear Panel in BLACK, Rear Backlight PERANA LOUVRE (3-Slat), all Brightwork, Badging, Bullet-style Door mirrors, Front Grille, but without the optional Chrome Bonnet Retainer clips, Chrome 13” Rostyle wheel rims - new Pirelli Cinturato 185/ 70 VR 13 Tyres will be fitted.
This car is Excellent in condition and curated my me. All the correct matching number identifiers in position and correlate confirming authenticity. Before EXPORT the car will have a carte blanche major service, plus all fluids also changed, and Tune-up for sea-level performance, and new HD Battery in the boot compartment. And with new DEKRA TECHNICAL EXAMINATION report, DEKRA Road Worthy Test & Certificate, and DEKRA DataDOT & Certificate, plus comprehensive VALET before Sea Container Shipping (2-Car ONLY!).
I trust the above gives you an insight to this car. She really is a honey! There is nothing else to say - apart from it being a bargain.
LANDED COST in UK (London Gateway) GBP49, 400 (UK Pounds), Europe (Rotterdam) EUR 57, 400, Australia (Sydney) AUD 102, 550.
UK ARRIVAL COST charges and/ or other DESTINATIONS please ask.
FOOTNOTE: Basil Green of BGM willingly shared information about his PERANAs, he was an unassuming, approachable, and super nice person. Basil was inducted to the South African HALL OF FAME in 2019, and subsequently passed in 2022, leaving an incredible legacy. THE BACKGROUND: FORD CAPRI PERANA V8-302 Mk. 1 Coupe:
The unique FORD CAPRI V8 model versions were only manufactured and available to the South African market, and it’s probable some readers of this advert are still unfamiliar!
Yes, the later 1970 launched Ford of Germany Capri RS2600 with Cologne V6 LHD and much later 1972 launched Ford of England Capri RS3100 with Essex V6 RHD both existed, but the FORD CAPRI PERANA was much faster as well as having legendary racetrack pedigree before the others.
The “BGM re-engineered” FORD CAPRI was unique, and never done before or since, in conjunction with another organisation in this manner at any other FORD CAPRI Plant globally. Inasmuch as both the FORD Germany Plant/ s CAPRI RS2600 LHD, and swansong FORD England Plant CAPRI RS3100 RHD versions of the Model may have received some level of “engine development” assistance gained from an outsourced UK-based tuning development organisations, neither of those CAPRIs were allowed to be completed outside of the respective FORD Assembly Plants mentioned.
BASIL GREEN related that he had previously met both RON SCOTT and SPENCE STERLING, then two of the Top Executives of FORD SA simultaneously at GROSVENOR MOTORS - the Johannesburg Dealer that sold the FORD CORTINA GT PERANA V6-3000 Mk. 2.
Later, at a “chance” subsequent meeting in 1969 with the same guys and at the same premises, the subject of FORD’s sponsorship of a SA racing driver, BOB OLTHOFF was raised. Bob Olthoff was an incredible driver, who had returned to SA, after experience of racing in both the UK and Europe - including tracks like Le Mans, Spa, etc.!
The outcome of that meet was Basil Green invited down to the FORD Plant in Port Elizabeth immediately thereafter during the later part of 1969. The brief was to assess the measure CAPRI engine bay and platform suitability of the yet to be released new CAPRI as a modified future model for the public in higher production numbers than previously created by BGM, and to build a race-winning CAPRI COUPE entrant to the 1970 FIA Saloon Championship.
In a nutshell, BGM (Basil Green Motors - PERANA CARS) was supplied with the various parts requested for the future race car and was also given FORD support for the premises required to accomplish both requirements. BGM immediately fast-tracked building a new Workshop in Edenvale, Johannesburg - a sensible location because of the racetracks relatively nearby, such as Kyalami and Zwartkops. Notable is that BASIL GREEN and WILLIE HEPBURN – both later honoured as Hall of Fame Racing Drivers - formed part of the development team.
BGM completed the highly modified Ford CAPRI FIA Racing Number Z181, with a GT40 Le Mans Gurney-Westlake 302ci V8 with High-Rise Manifold, four Holley Carbs, BG Camshafts, etc., and driveline to FORDs Tremec 4-Speed Top Loader Gearbox, and FORDs unbreakable 9-inch Rear Axle with LSD handled the rear-end. Also, LHD Mustang Steering rack fitted upside-down, front suspension, wheels and brakes, all courtesy of GT40 Le Mans programme, and extremely widened wheel-arches.
The BGM-Team created 1970 FORD CAPRI Group 5, was “the only-competitor in class” car, which saw BOB OLTHOFF first appearance in the supporting race to the SA GRAND PRIX at KYALAMI in January 1970. It’s reported he achieved 270 KPH (170 MPH) down the main straight, with lap times only 15 seconds adrift of the GRAND PRIX Single Seater racers of the time. From the first race in Z181, Bob Olthoff went on to Championship by winning outright 12 of the 13-race series. The Ford Capri Z181 he drove also shattered every Track LAP TIME RECORD where the FIA National Championship was held around the country.
The FIA rules changed for 1971 - banning Group 5 - and all competitors had to conform to Group 2 regulations. The BGM outfit rose to the challenge again, and the assembled the revised CAPRI PERANA GROUP 2 team that raced with sponsorship of GUNSTON CIGARETTES Colours under FIA Number A2. As a measure of difference Basil Green in his CAPRI PERANA V8 with well-modified Windsor-302 could only achieved some 224 KPH (139 MPH) down the same Kyalami straight that Bob Olthoff achieved the incredible 270-KPH consistently in the Group 5 Capri Perana. The racing CAPRIs included several other Privateer Team/ s, however, BOB OLTHOFF also won the 1971 Group 2 Championship.
The FORD/ BGM development of the CAPRI PERANA represents the few occasions when a road-going version was based largely on the race-car engineering pedigree and also represented the first time in modern history that a FORD USA V8 engine was installed in a FORD OF EUROPE designed vehicle. FORD SA also had produced FORD Saloon, Coupe, and Pick-up vehicles of USA, UK, and Germany origin.
Another FORD SA first for CAPRI was the C4-Automatic - exclusive to SA-built CAPRI V6-3000 GT - and well proven more capable of outputs of the FORD USA WINDSOR-302 and CLEVELAND 351. Later the C3-Automatic was used in Europe.
